A review by saosheep
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I finally finished the book yesterday after months of putting off the last part. From the start, I really loved Nastasya’s character, especially the way Prince Myshkin sees her. Personally, she’s the best-written character in the whole book, even more than the Prince (Myshkin too was a great portrayal of a christ-like figure, he did what one in that nature would.) “Beauty will save the world,” is a quote that somehow I understand to the beauty of a woman and therefore Nastasya. Her downfall was clearly coming, but the way it happened still felt perfect in the end. She's so complex, broken, and really unforgettable.

The relationship between her, the Prince, and Rogozhin was also my most favorite thing in the book.. It was tragic yes, really intense, and strangely perfect (again with the word). I loved how the three of them seemed to understand each other’s pain so deeply that none of them wanted to cause more harm-- yet somehow, they still did, but surely you know.. without meaning to.